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Visual Psychophysics in Head-Fixed Mice
Richard J Krauzlis1, Nick Nichols1, Krsna V Rangarajan1
1Laboratory of Sensorimotor Research, National Eye Institute, Bethesda, Maryland.
Current Protocols in Neuroscience
|March 28, 2020
Summary
We developed protocols for precise visual psychophysical experiments in head-fixed mice, enabling detailed studies of visual perception and decision-making. This research demonstrates mice possess visual selective attention capabilities.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Science
- Animal Models
Background:
- Primate studies commonly use precise visual psychophysical tests.
- Mice are increasingly used as models for complex cognitive functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish protocols for visual psychophysical experiments in head-fixed mice.
- To enable primate-level visual perception and decision-making studies in mice.
- To demonstrate mice exhibit visual selective attention.
Main Methods:
- Detailed protocols for constructing experimental apparatus, including head fixtures and reward systems.
- Surgical preparation of mice for head fixation.
- Computerized control systems for visual tasks and behavioral data acquisition.
- Specific training strategies and task designs for mice over multiple weeks.
- Methods for collecting and analyzing psychometric data.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated mice are capable of visual selective attention.
- Established a reproducible framework for visual psychophysical experimentation in mice.
- Developed a custom quick-release head-holding method.
Conclusions:
- The described protocols facilitate high-precision visual psychophysical testing in head-fixed mice.
- This approach allows for direct comparison of visual attention mechanisms across species.
- The methods support detailed investigation into mouse visual perception and decision-making.
